Impact work
A key aspect of the methodology for the MPLC study was to conduct a secondary analysis of two qualitative datasets from the Timescapes archive, to inform my project design. This is an on-going activity but the majority of this work was conducted between October 2014 and June 2015. Having generated some initial findings from this secondary analysis I decided to share some of these early outcomes with project stakeholders. The aim of this was to co-produce the research with health and social care service providers in the locality working with disadvantaged men; to gain insights into the local policy and support context for men; and to build impact into the research from the outset.
Prior to the meeting I sent out a document outlining some of the key themes that emerged from the analysis, and my views on where I felt the empirical data collection might progress. This document can be viewed here:
The meeting at which the project stakeholders were invited to comment upon this existing data, took place on Tuesday 14th July 2015. The outcomes of the meeting are presented in the following report, which I think will be of particular interest to academics considering how to co-produce their research.
Stakeholder Meeting Report (for academics)
A version of the outcomes that is more suited to a practitioner audience, can be accessed via the link below. Please do contact me using the contact form on this website if you have any comments or suggestions.
Stakeholder Meeting Report (for stakeholders)
Following Young Fathers
Findings from the ‘Men, Poverty and Lifetimes of Care’ project, and an affiliated study called ‘Responding to Young Fathers in a Different Way’ are influencing a range of policy-makers and practitioners.
Informing practice with disadvantaged and young fathers
Due to the affiliation of the MPLC study with Following Young Fathers, an ESRC qualitative longitudinal study conducted at the University of Leeds, Anna, the PI also lead an impact project in collaboration with key partners working with young fathers across the UK. This project, called ‘Responding to Young Fathers in a Different Way’ built directly out of the findings from Following Young Fathers and was designed to respond to the needs of young fathers that were identified. The project was practitioner led and involved collaboration between local and national organisations who were original partner organisations of the network that formed as part of the Following Young Fathers study. One of the Following Young Fathers directors, Prof. Bren Neale consulted on the project.
The project consisted of three interrelated work packages that broadly sought to:
1) Extend and improve policy and practice with young fathers nationally,
2) Increase recognition of the multiple challenges faced by young fathers; and,
3) Provide young fathers with increasing opportunities to engage in advocacy and collective support.
At the end of the study a training event was held for practitioners and policy makers in Leeds aimed at sharing information about the project and providing space for practitioners to consider ways of being more father inclusive in their practice. Publications from the impact project were launched at the event and are available open access. Please follow the links below to access digital copies:
Tarrant, A. and Neale, B. (2017) Supporting Young Fathers in Welfare Settings: An Evidence Review of What Matters and What Helps, Responding to Young Fathers in a Different Way: Evidence Review.
Tarrant, A. and Neale, B. (2017) (eds.) Learning to Support Young Dads, Responding to Young Fathers in a Different Way: Project Report.
You can find out more about Responding to Young Fathers in a Different Way by clicking on the link or going to the Following Young Fathers website. The study was funded for one year by the Leeds Social Sciences Institute. Family and CIldCare Trust is one of our practice partners and has developed the Young Dads Collective model. I continue to work with them to develop good practice models that we plan to deploy nationally.
The Fatherhood Development Programme
Through my work with the Following Young Fathers team I have been invited to be a member of the advisory panel for the Fatherhood Development Programme. The Fathers’ Development Foundation (the Foundation) was established in September 2016 as a membership charity representing organisations working directly or indirectly with fathers and families, including organisations contributing to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fatherhood, essentially to turn discussion into action to bring about social change. With Alison Hadley (OBE) and Mark Osborn, I have conducted a research informed review of public services responses to fathers: